Preferred, say

Latest answer — September 19, 2026

45 Down

Scroll down for rest of crossword answers

Clue explained

IDEAL can mean preferred or most suitable, as in “the ideal candidate” or “the ideal solution.” “Say” indicates an illustrative use of the adjective rather than part of the answer.

Clue type:
Definition
A comparison showing one option highlighted as the preferred choice.

NYT Crossword

This clue's Saturday, September 19, 2026 appearance

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Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

  1. 1It didn't come with a calculator until 2024
  2. 5Goes down in estimation
  3. 14Rod ___, 1977 A.L. M.V.P. with the Twins
  4. 16End of a rant, perhaps
  5. 17Geological period
  6. 18Instrument also known as a ukitar
  7. 19Siva ___ (traditional dance named for its country of origin)
  8. 20Runner's goal, maybe
  9. 21Good-for-nothings
  10. 23The very first one was won by a ventriloquist
  11. 24Like much Ikea furniture
  12. 26"You'll ___ the day!"
  13. 27Inhale, so to speak
  14. 28Youngest congressional appointees
  15. 33Some strenuous athletic events, informally
  16. 35"Dog Day Afternoon" director
  17. 36Tibetan title
  18. 37One might be cut off by an orchestra
  19. 40U.S. : reps :: Canada : ___
  20. 41Little
  21. 42Rattled, humorously
  22. 44Not see
  23. 46It's a whole thing
  24. 47Request for assistance from a higher-up?
  25. 51Build up
  26. 53"Sure ... that's true ..."
  27. 54Saturate
  28. 55"That's good thinking"
  29. 56Fired up again
  30. 57Speak rationally
  31. 58"I'm in!"

Down

  1. 1Decorates, say
  2. 2Certain father figures
  3. 3Like a person who might prefer platonic relationships
  4. 4Make more understandable
  5. 5"Just relax!"
  6. 6Ijeoma ___, "Be a Revolution" author
  7. 7Chance level right above none
  8. 890° from norte
  9. 9"Behave!"
  10. 10Not just a snack
  11. 11Ones who start
  12. 12Following the leader too closely, say
  13. 13Blade that doesn't cut
  14. 15Players who account for a disproportionate amount of a mobile game's revenue, in lingo
  15. 22Intimidating words
  16. 24One might necessitate an override
  17. 25Helen Mirren and Emma Thompson, for two
  18. 26Storytelling device that revises previously established facts, informally
  19. 29[Giggle]
  20. 30One might be felt
  21. 31No-talent boss
  22. 32Common sight at a bachelorette party
  23. 34Ocean predator with external teeth
  24. 38Has bad feelings toward
  25. 39Windbag's output
  26. 43Big name in late night
  27. 44Mell Lazarus comic strip that ran for 46 years
  28. 45Preferred, say
  29. 47Heart
  30. 48Connecticut town that lent its name to a tick-borne disease
  31. 49Nobody, say
  32. 50Squad for 14-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki, to fans
  33. 52Goes down

The answer to “Preferred, say” in the New York Times crossword is IDEAL — a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on September 19, 2026, a Saturday puzzle, at 45-Down. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“Preferred, say” answer

IDEAL (5 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is IDEAL.

What does IDEAL mean?

Reading the plain dictionary sense of IDEAL is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.

(adjective)

  • satisfying one's conception of what is perfect; most suitable
  • existing only in the imagination; desirable or perfect but not likely to become a reality

When else has “Preferred, say” appeared?

New York Times reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.

September 19, 2026 (most recent) → IDEAL. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Preferred, say”?

The answer is IDEAL, a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on September 19, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Preferred, say”?

5 letters: IDEAL.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times crossword on September 19, 2026 (a Saturday puzzle), at 45-Down.

Can “Preferred, say” have a different answer?

Yes — New York Times sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day's NYT Crossword answers?

The full grid for September 19, 2026 is on the NYT Crossword answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

New York Times Crossword is published by The New York Times; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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